I closed my book with an exasperated sigh. Yuuri was out on a ride with Greta around town, one neither of them felt compelled to invite me on. I would have to talk to them about it when they got home. I stood from my chair in the library and made my way through the halls to the courtyard. Feeling unusually down, I sat cross legged in front of a patch of flowers, resting my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. I heard rustling papers and hurried footsteps before a pair of legs collided with my side and stumbled back.

"Wolfram!" I heard Gunter shout, "I must advise that you refrain from sitting where people are meant to be walking." I turned to look up at him.

"Sorry." I said, he frowned even deeper.

"Of course." He muttered sarcastically before stepping around me and whisking away. I looked after him, wondering what I'd done to make him mad this time. I didn't frown or scowl or protest or any of the other tricks I was known for using to get my way. I had just said sorry. I sighed again, standing up and making my way back inside to my barely used room.

Opening the door, I saw it was no different from when I had left it a few months ago to go sleep with Yuuri. It was almost comforting in a way. Surely Yuuri wouldn't mind if I spent a night here, Shinou knows he complains about my staying with him enough. My mind made up, I went back down the hallway to the room I shared with Yuuri. About halfway down the hall I heard laughter from Yuuri and Greta.

"Wolfram!" Yuuri said as he rounded the corner.

"Papa Wolfram!" Greta yelled, releasing Yuuri's hand and running over to cling on to mine. When I didn't say anything, I saw Yuuri frown the slightest bit.

"Greta, lunch will start soon. Why don't you go find lady Celi to help you get ready?" Yuuri suggested softly, not giving in to Greta's signature puppy dog eyes. She pouted then ran off down another corridor when she saw she wouldn't get her way. When she was gone Yuuri turned to me.

"What's wrong Wolfram?" He asked, looking at me with a concerned face.

"Nothing." I said quickly, "now, if you'll please excuse me, I have something to take care of." I said as gently as I could, stepping around him and stepping the rest of the way to the room. I heard him mutter under his breath as I closed the door behind me. I slid down the door until I was sitting leaning against it.

In all truth, there was something wrong. There had been something wrong for awhile. I was tired of my reputation. Tired of being called little Lord brat, or whatever else they call me when I'm not around. That wasn't me, but none of them would try and see who I really was. I was tired. And there was almost nothing I could do. Because the hardest thing for a man to escape from, is his reputation.

With a bag of belongings over my shoulder, I made my way back down the hall to my room, ignoring the curious stares from the soldiers I passed. When I finally reached my room, I mushrooms the door to find it was exactly as I left it. Tidy and cost. Running my hands along the spines of the many books adorning my bookshelves I sighed deeply.

My eyes caught on a small bag of belongings I had ordered been taken out of Yuuri's room about an hour ago. Even if I was his fiance, I knew when I was stepping on toes, and in this case I might as well be stomping his whole foot.

Let him have his room.

I knew when I was wanted, so if he feels that way, I'll just leave.

I was probably being rash and unreasonable, but at the moment, I couldn't care less. The dread that had been building in my chest was threatening to overwhelm me. Walking out to the stables with my pack over my shoulder, I went to prepare my horse, ignoring the baffled looks from the stable hands.

"Sir Wolfram?" One of the maids, Doria I think, asked, stepping up behind me, "dinner is being served, King Yuuri sent me to find you." She smiled like that was the most adorable and sweet thing that could have been done.

"It's fine, tell him I'm not hungry." I told her, turning to finish putting my pack on the saddle.

"But he insisted you come!" She persisted, coming around in front of me so I had to look at her. I frowned.

"Tell him it doesn't matter, I'm not his problem anymore." I told her, swinging my leg into the saddle and trotting into the courtyard with her following behind.

"Not his problem? What do you mean? Where are you going?" She asked, putting her hand on my horse's muzzle. I considered snapping at her for speaking out of line, but ended up just smiling at her. That was something the old Wolfram wouldn't have hesitated to do.

"I'm just taking a trip, I don't know when I'll be back, but tell my mother and brothers I'll be fine and not to worry."

"What about His Majesty?" A sort of melancholy look settled over my features, hidden by my smile.

"Tell him I'm sorry for stepping on his toes for so long." I smiled, guiding my horse away from her hands and preparing to leave.

"Sir Wolfram!" She yelled, "wait just a moment!" She ran inside, curious, I waited. A moment later she ran out breathless with a sack in her hands.

"What is this?" I asked, taking it when she held it up to me.

"I couldn't help but notice you didn't have any food with you, so I put in some bread and cheese, I know it's not exactly what you're used to but-" I raised my hand to stop her.

"Thank you." I told her gently, giving one last small smile before turning my horse and riding out. I didn't know where I was going, or what I would do when I got there, but I felt freer than I think I ever had before. But even still, I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness at leaving Yuuri and Greta, but I felt this was the only thing I could do that would finally make them see that I wasn't the spoiled child they all seemed to see when they looked at me.

Letting out a lighthearted laugh, I turned off the main road into a lesser traveled road through the woods. I urged my horse on, feeling lighter the farther I went from my old home.

"He's gone!" Yuuri shouted in shock as the red haired maid stepped back from whispering to him in the dining hall. Heads of the others turned as conversation ceased.

"Who's gone?" Conrad asked, concern lacing his tone.

"Wolfram?" Yuuri asked the maid in disbelief.

"Yes, I found him in the stables preparing to leave, he had a pack with him. He said not to worry, and that he was sorry for stepping on your toes all these years your majesty." She said, her eyes on the floor.

"Did he say where he was going, when he'd be back?" Gwendal asked. She shook her head.

"Oh, Wolfie!" Lady Celi wailed, sobbing into her hands, causing Greta to start crying too.

"There, there mother, is that all he said?" Conrad said addressing the maid as he patted the crying woman's back.

"He said he's not your problem anymore." She said speaking to Yuuri.

"My...problem?" He asked, baffled. 'Is that what he thought I thought of him?' He thought, distraught. Looking around at the worried faces of the others, the truth set in, Wolfram was gone.

Sigh, well...that's done. R&R, hope you like it, have a nice day! B-)